#WeAreWinter. That’s the slogan of the Canadian Olympic team for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Yet despite all the snow, slush and freezing rain, winter still catches many Canadians by surprise. Collisions, accidents, delays and cancellations are all a part of a Canadian winter.
One province is already making winter roads safer. Since 2008, all car owners with a Quebec license plate must install winter tires that must remain on the vehicle from Dec. 15 to March 15.
While it still makes driving in 50cm of snow difficult, it makes travelling and commuting in the winter easier and safer for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
But despite Ottawa being separated from Quebec by a mere bridge, Ontario has yet to adopt similar legislation.
An article in the Ottawa Citizen last month cited the belief that Toronto’s lack of a traditional Ontario winter and its large population, as one reason the issue is low on the radar.
The Ottawa Police tweeted last month that on an average day they respond to about 50 collisions in and around Ottawa. But when a large amount of snow fell the night of Jan. 26 and continued into the next morning, that number was reached by the end of the morning rush-hour commute, with more than 100 collisions by mid-afternoon. And this number did not include Highways 416 and 417, which is under the OPP’s jurisdiction.
Some of these accidents and collisions could have been avoided simply by having winter tires.
It is time for Ottawa, and other municipalities across Ontario, to pressure the provincial government into passing some form of winter tire legislation.
Winter tires are by no means cheap and cost more than all-season tires. With the average winter tire costing between $100 to $125, plus yearly installation and removal fees, the cost is out of reach for many Ontarians.
While winter tires are expensive, the fines that Quebecers can receive for not having them are even more severe, and are between $200 to $300 depending on the circumstances. Quebec never gave its residents other incentives, as many Quebecers already used winter tires.
But there are ways to make sure one’s winter tires last multiple winters and, therefore, save money in the long run. By making sure they are installed and removed at certain temperatures, tires are less likely to get damaged. In addition, having winter tires ensures that one’s all-season tires last longer since they are not used for four months every year.
In addition, some insurance companies, such as Desjardins and Belair Direct, offer discounts to those who use winter tires. Even young drivers, who have the highest insurance rates, are eligible for the discount.
But winter tires on passenger vehicles may not be enough. Currently, large trucks and buses in Quebec are exempt from this legislation. Photos of OC Transpo stuck in snowbanks and lying on the side of the road went viral on Facebook last year. And after a major snowstorm, there are usually empty trucks in ditches on the 401. To prevent this from happening, these types of vehicles should also be equipped with winter tires.
Until then, Ottawa residents should try out winter tires and notice the difference it makes while driving. Even those who own SUVs and pickup trucks should switch from all-season tires to winter ones when the temperature drops.
That doesn’t mean that those with winter tires should stop taking precautions. Drivers should still drive carefully and not speed up on slippery roads and hills. But winter tires help prevent skidding and swerving on slippery roads, which in turn helps prevent collisions, injuries, and even death.
The municipal and provincial governments, and even insurance companies, should do more to keep Canadian roads safer and running smoothly by encouraging the use of winter tires. Quebec may be unique from the rest of Canada, but this is an initiative that all Canadian auto owners and transit users should support.